Scores of illegal immigrants, armed with bricks and iron bars, have fought a battle with police at a detention centre in north-west Australia.

Police fired pepper spray to restore order after more than 180 detainees, mostly from the Middle East, managed briefly to take over the Port Hedland centre.

Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock blamed the fighting on the same group behind September's violence at Woomera detention centre, in southern Australia, in which 13 staff were hurt and millions of dollars of damage was done.

Human rights organisations have strongly criticised the grim conditions in the camps where some people are held for years.

The government said the ringleaders of the latest disturbances would face criminal charges.

Reports said an officer wearing riot gear suffered concussion after a brick struck his helmet and two staff members were slightly injured.